The latest crime statistics reveal total offences against a person or property are down five per cent – the 15th consecutive reporting period where offences have continued to decline.
It comes as the State Government rolls out a new Neighbourhood Watch campaign to promote household habits that can continue to drive down crime rates.
The November rolling year crime statistics reveal continuing decreases in break-ins, theft from retail premises and car theft and related offences.
The number of serious assaults in the period decreased by two per cent – from 16,658 to 16,326 offences – or 332 fewer incidents.
Robbery, blackmail and extortion offences decreased by seven per cent – from 730 to 677 reported incidents – a decrease of 53 offences. Within that category the number of reported robbery offences declined by four per cent – from 493 to 474 offences – a decrease of 19 incidents.
Theft overall decreased by eight per cent in the period – from 58,061 to 53,380 reported offences – or 4,681 fewer incidents. Within that category theft from retail premises declined by 14 per cent – from 25,471 to 21,832 offences. Fuel theft is now recorded in this category under updated recording and reporting changes.
The number of reported residential break-ins has continued to decline with a 12 per cent decrease reported in the period – from 6,198 to 5,470 incidents – or 728 fewer offences reported. Non-residential break-ins declined by seven per cent – from 3,690 to 3,423 reported offences – or 267 fewer incidents.
Motor vehicle theft and related incidents also continued to drop with a successive five per cent decline reported – from 15,314 to 14,560 offences – or 754 fewer incidents.
It comes as the latest Neighbourhood Watch campaign is now live, providing tips to South Australians to keep their homes safe and deter theft. This includes tips such as:
- Not keeping tools out for opportunistic thieves to use to break into homes
- Keeping lights on when not at home
- Keeping a spare key with the neighbour and not hidden on the property
- Keeping an eye out for suspicious activity on your street
The campaign is being delivered on social media, through direct mail advertising and on posters in venues such as pubs and supermarkets.
This campaign is another action we’ve taken since coming to government to reduce crime. This includes:
- Introducing the toughest knife laws in the country
- New laws cracking down on street gangs
- New workplace protection orders to protect employees and workplaces from personal violence and threats
These tough new measures have helped police by giving them the tools they need to disrupt criminal activities and stop people from using violence against others.
It follows record applications to police – 3,050 people from across Australia and overseas compared to less than 1000 in 2018-19 under the former Liberal Government.
The 2025-26 Budget made a significant investment to support our police force to better protect and serve the community, including funding additional officers, improving the amenity of police facilities, and modernising their equipment. The State Government has committed an additional $334 million to support SA Police, including $82 million dollars to hire an extra 189 Police Security Officers.
Quotes
Attributable to Blair Boyer
This government is committed to protecting the community and this latest data is evidence the investments in South Australian police and resources, as well as our strong legislative changes are making a difference.
These are significant decreases, right across different categories, showing 15 months of consistent reductions.
There is more work to do, we understand that, but we are doing the hard work. Strong laws, investments in more police and more police security officers with recruitment really starting to pick up.
